When Steven Spielberg reissued his 1977 U.F.O. classic in 1980, he trimmed a few scenes, added some outtakes and filmed a new ending that featured Richard Dreyfuss inside the spectacular mothership. Subtitled "The Special Edition", this re-edited version is the only one shown on cable and made available on videocassette. But for several network showings, all existing footage was used and interwoven to create a longer film.
This isn’t quite what Voyager has done for its disc package; they’ve done something much better: the film is presented as originally released in 1977 (with the exception of a twelve-second special effects shot of a U.F. O.’s shadow over Dreyfuss’ speeding pickup truck), recreating for viewers the original theatrical experience. At the end of each disc side are the appropriate "Special Edition" scenes. This, when used with the enclosed chapter stop sheet, makes it possible to program your disc player to play the "Special Edition" scenes where Spielberg intended for them to appear.
Both the original 1977 version and 1980’s "Special Edition" ran approximately 132 minutes; when all existing footage is played, the film runs roughly 144 minutes. The end-credit crawl used on the disc is from the original 1977 release, not the 1980 release which integrated "When You Wish Upon a Star" into the end-credit music. Here’s one final curiosity: with the reedited 1980 "Special Edition", a scene featuring Carl Weathers as an M.P. in Wyoming was deleted, yet his name still appears in the credits. I can’t tell you how many times I’d watched "The Special Edition" videocassette looking for Weathers.
The Criterion CAV box set features a wealth of how-they-did-it material consisting of interviews, sketches and special effects demonstrations.
Voyager has also released a CLV version of the original 1977 cut, also in widescreen, but without the supplementaries. A new "Special Edition" widescreen version is also available from Columbia/Tri-Star Home Video, also without any extras.
Vital statistics: Widescreen (2.35:1); Chapter stops; Dolby Stereo Surround.
The Criterion Collection: $59.95 (CLV, 3 sides) or $124.95 (CAV, 6 sides).
Columbia/Tri-Star Home Video: $39.95 (CLV, 3 sides).
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